Burner ignition apparatus



oct. 11, 1938. H. Lf SNEED 2,133,215

BURNER IGNITION APPARATUS Oct. 11, 1938. H. L SNEL-:D

BURNER IGNITION APPARATUS Filed May l5, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented oa. F11, 193s PATENT OFFICE BURNER IGNITION APPARATUS Henry L. Sneed, Waco, Tex.

Application May 15, 1937, Serial No. 142,919

Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus forv starting fluid fuel burners of the type in which the fuel is discharged under pressure from a supply line and ignited at the point of discharge. The present disclosure deals with the invention as employed in connection with a domestic burner, such as a conventional kitchen gas stove, but it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to any type of fluid fuel pressure burner using any fuel capable of being ignited by an electric spark.

An object of the invention is to provide mechanism associated with a burner and operable from a remote point to open the fuel supply line to the point of discharge and immediately thereafter to set up an electric spark at the point of discharge for ignition of the fuel,

Another object is to provide a burner ignition apparatus having fuel supply valve means biased to open position and normally restrained in closed position by releasable latch means operable from a remote point, together with means operable by opening movement of the valve means to establish an electric spark at the point of fuel discharge.

A further object is to provide in an apparatus of the character described a novel means for opening the fuel supply line and establishing an electrical circuit including a sparking igniter at the point of fuel discharge.

With the above and such other objects in view as will be readilyy apparent from the description, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:- I"

Figure 1 is an elevation of a gas burner equipped with the invention, part of the burner casing being removed.

Figure 2 is an elevation, cn a larger scale, of the fuel line valve unit forming a part of the invention'.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the unit shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section taken on therline 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, illustrating the position assumed by the parts When the valve is in closed position.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but illustrating the position assumed by the parts when the valve is in open position.

Figure 7 is a schematic view illustrating the wiring diagram of the electrical operating circuit employed in the apparatus.

In the illustrated` embodiment, which comprises the best means I have thus far devised for reducing the inventionto practice, the appa- (Cl. F- 115) I3, and a shelf I4 spaced above the bottom and parallel thereto, the cabinet being open at its front wall portion and at the top. Suitably secured to the upper face of the shelf I4 are two vertically disposed uprights I5 and I6 arranged in parallel spaced relation 'substantially in the transverse median plane of the cabinet and connected at their upper ends by a transverse rod Il from which is pivotally suspended a stirrup I8 having suitably secured in its bight portion a balanced glass receptacle I9 provided with a filling plug closure and containing a small quantity of mercury 2I.

The receptacle I9 constitutes a gas -chamber into which gas is admitted at one end through a short inlet pipe 22 extending downwardly through the top wall of the receptacle and opening at its lower end in spaced relation somewhat above the receptacle bottom. Exteriorly of the receptacle the inlet pipe 22 has connection with one end of a flexible conduit 23 whose other end is connected tol the terminal of a gas pipe 24 passed through the end wall I2 of the cabinet and through which gas is supplied under meter pressure, the pipe 24 constituting the fuel supply line to the receptacle I9. At its other end portion the receptacle is provided with a gas outlet pipe 25 similar to the inlet pipe 22 and similarly mounted through the top of the receptacle with its lower end opening in spaced relation above the receptacle bottom in the plane of the end of the inlet pipe, which plane parallels the flat bottom of the receptacle. The outer end of outlet pipe 25 is connected with one end of a flexible conduit 26 whose other end is connected to the terminal of a gas pipe 21 passed through the cabinet end wall I2 and extending along the back wall to a point adjacent the other end Wall II.v

As illustrated in Figure 1, the cabinet I0 with its contained mechanism is suitably mounted within the casing 28 of a gas stove having a conventional burner 29 to which gas is delivered through the pipe 2l, connecting therewith through the usualicontrol valve 30.

Mounted on the shelf I4 is an electro-magnet 3| positioned towards the front of the cabinet and somewhat adjacent an end wall thereof. The outer upright I5 has secured on its outer face a bearing member 32 in which is seated one end of a resilient metal strip 33 having at its other end an enlarged head 34 and providing an armature for the magnet 3|. This armature 33 normally Inclines inwardly of the cabinet from its bearing socket 32 so that the head 34 is spaced from the magnet core until the magnet is energized. Upon energization of the magnet the armature is attracted to move outwardly under tension by virtue of itsV resilient nature.

'I'he armature head 34 carries rigidly thereon a detent 35, here shown as a pin or lug, extending laterally from the head toward the back wall of the cabinet a distance'suiiicient to engage against a portion of the adjacent end of the receptacle I9 when the armature is in its normal retracted position and the receptacle is swung to an inclined ofi-center position, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 5. When the armature is moved under the attraction of the magnet the detent 35 is withdrawn from its engagement and is moved outwardly to clear the path of movement of the receptacle which swings by its stirrup I8 to oscillate in a vertical plane between the uprights I5 and I6. At its oppositeend the receptacle has secured thereto an axially extending bearing lug 36 providing a seat for one end of an expansion spring 31 which bears at its other end against a bracket 38 secured to the adjacent end wall II of the cabinet, the tension of the spring normally urging the receptacle counter-clockwise with respect to its pivot I1.

The end wall I2 of the cabinet, adjacent the magnet 3|, has secured thereto an inwardly projecting block 39 of insulating material which mounts on its top face a binding post 40 and on its side face toward the receptacle I9 a second binding post 4|. Extending inwardly of the cabinet into the path of movement of the adjacent end of the receptacle I9 is a resilient contact nger 42 carried by the binding post 4| and normally biased into seated contact on a iixed contact element 43 carried by an electro-conductive bracket 44 secured on the back wall of the cabinet and which'extends forwardly to underlie the spring nger 42, but beyond the path of movement of the receptacle end.

The upper binding post IIJV has secured thereto a resilient contact nger 45 which extends -inwardly over and above the finger 42 and normally in spaced relation therefrom, the two iingers constituting normally separated contacts in an electrical igniter circuit to be described.

I'he burner 29 has aixed vthereto a support standard 46 of insulating material which carries at its top an igniter electrode 41 from which a circuit wire 48 leads to a terminal 4 9 of a vibrator type spark intensifying coil 5D of known construction housed within the cabinet beneath the shelf I4. The metal burner nozzle assembly itself constitutes the other electrode of the igniter, it being in electrical circuit, by means of a wire 5| with another terminal 52 of the spark coil, this terminal also having connected thereto a lead wire 53. The third terminal 54 of the coil connects by wire 55 with the binding post 40 and contact nger 45 of. the circuit closer assembly carried by the insulating block 39. The contact finger 42 through binding post 4| and wire 56 connects with one terminal 51 of a circuit closer 58, here shown as a push button switch, located at a point remote from the burner such as in a bedroom or hall if desired. The other terminal 59 of the circuit closer 58 is in connection with the lead wire 60, the two leads 53 and 60 being associated in a cable 6| having a conventional terminal plug 62 for connection with a source of alternating current supply in the usual manner, as by connection with a socket fixture as shown in Fig. 1.

The operating circuit for the magnet 3| comprises a branch wire 63 leading from the igniter circuit wire 5I to the magnet and thence from the magnet through wire 64 to the fixed contact 43, through contact nger 42, binding post N.

wire 56 to the circuit closer 58 and through lead 60 to source.

All leads are preferably passed through the walls of the cabinet by binding post connections, one such being shown in Figure 4 Where the Wire 48 between the electrode 41 and the spark coil contact terminal 49 is passed through the cabinet wall by a binding post 65. The back wall Illv is further provided with an aperture 66, see Figure 2, through Which a flexible pull cable 61 is trained from the exterior of the cabinet, it having attachment as at 68 to the end of the receptacle I9 adjacent the Wall to provide for resetting the unit. The outer end of the cable 61 is provided with a handle ring 69.

In operation the apparatus is set by a pull on the lift cable 61 to elevate the, end of the receptacle I9 into the position shown in Figures 2 and 5, against the action of spring 31. As the receptacle swings in its stirrup its other end moves in a downward arc, permitting the detent 35 to engage behind the end wall of the receptacle by virtue of the spring action of the resilient armature 33, the detent moving into position to latch the receptacle in its inclined position until released.

As the receptacle is tilted in the manner described the mercury 2| collects in the depressed end and seals the mouth of the gas outlet tube 25 so that no gas may pass through conduit 26 and pipe 21 to the burner while the receptacle is tilted. Thus the receptacle constitutes a valve means for opening and closing the fuel line to the burner.

When the receptacle is latched in position to cut oi the gas flow through its chamber the burner control valve 30 is opened and allowed to remain so. The apparatus is then set.

When it is desired to start the burner from the selected remote point the push button switch 58 is closed. 'I'his establishes a circuit from the supply source plug 62 through lead 60 in the cable 6|, through the contact 51-59 of the switch, wire 56 to contact finger 42 closed against xed contact 43, through contact 43 and bracket 44 to wire 64, through magnet 3|, wire 63, wire 5|, terminal post 52 and lead 53 back to plug 62 and source. The magnet 3| is thus energized to draw over the armature 33 which retracts the detent 35 from engagement with the receptacle end, moving the detent clear of the path of movement of the receptacle and unlatching same.

On release of the latch detent the receptacle swings to a horizontal position by gravity and under urge of the expanding spring 31. As the receptacle assumes the horizontal its ascending end engages under and lifts the spring contact finger 42 which rises from xed contact 43 and breaks the magnet circuit. At the same time the finger 42 is forced upwardly against and engages the upper contact nger 45 to establish and close the igniter circuit which remains closed as long as the push button switch is held closed.

The igniter circuit is as follows: source plug 62, lead 60, closed push button switch contacts 51 and 59, wire 56, contact finger 42, contact finger 45, wire 55 to spark coil 50, through the coil, wire'48 to igniter electrode 41 from which under operation of the coil the current passes as a sustained spark to the other electrode comprising the burner 29, wire 5| to the coil 50 and through post 52 to lead 53 back to plug 62 and source.

As the receptacle I9 comprising the gas chamber returns to horizontal the mercury uncovers aisaaiV the mouth of outlet tube 25 and the gas flow is immediately started to the burner, at which point the igniter is already in operation so that the gas is ignited as it issues from theburner. After an interval of time sufiicient to assure ignition of the gas issuing from the burner the push button switch may be allowed to reopen thus breaking the igniter circuit and extinguishing the spark which is no longer necessary.

It will be noted that by gravity and by urge of the expansion spring 31 the receptacle I9 is biased to assume a horizontal position to open the fuel supply line for uninterrupted ow of fuel through the receptacle chamber frominlet to outlet, so that once-the latch detent is released the fuel supply line remains open to the burner until the apparatus is reset, permitting the burner to be controlled in the conventional manner from the valve 30. The spring 31 constantly urges the receptacle to counter-clockwise movement and thus forces the contact finger away from the fixed contact 43 and holds it up against the finger 45 so that the igniter circuit cannot become opened at this point unless and until the apparatus is reset in latched position. Furthermore, the finger 42 bearing against the contact linger 45 provides a stop means limiting the ascending movement of the receptacle end so that it cannot rise above the horizontal open position as seen in Figure 6, eliminating possibility of tilting suiiicient to cause the mercury to seal the'inlet tube 22 and interrupt the gas flow. The spring 31 at one end and the resilient contact fingers 42 and 45 at lthe'other end constitute resilient means at each end of the receptacle determining its limits of oscillation and cooperating to hold the receptacle in horizontal position against accidental rocking which might interrupt thegas ow. As is well known. a momentary cutting off of gas from an operating burner may have dis-1 astrous results.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In combination, a fuel supply line delivering to a burner, valve means in'said line and biased to open position, latch means normally engaging said valve means to hold same in closed position, electric spark igniting means at said burner, a circuit therefor, electrically operable latch release means, a circuit therefor, a remote control circuit closer common to b"oth said circuits, a current supplyv source common to both circuits, and means engageable by said valve means during its operation to open the latch release means circuit and close the igniter circuit.

2. In combination, a fuel supply line delivering to a burner, bodily movable valve means in said line, electrically operable releasable latch means normally engaging said valve means to hold same in closed position,l said valve means being biased to move bodily to open position on latch release, electric spark ignition means at said burner, an

operating circuit including said releasable latch latch means and to close the circuit to the ignition means.' Starting means for fluid 'fuel burners comprising, in combination, a fuel supply line delivering to a burner, a support, a closed receptacle mounted on said support for tilting movement thereon, an inlet tube extending through a wall of the receptacle at one end, a flexible conduit connecting said fuel supply line and inlet tube, an outlet tube extending through a wall of the receptacle at its other end, a fuel pipe connected to the burner, Va flexible conduit connecting said outlet tube and fuel pipe, means in said receptacle for closing the'mouth of one of said tubes only when the receptacle is tilted from a horizontal position whereby to cut off passage of fuel therethrough, a detent engageable with a wall of the receptacle to maintain same in tilted position, a remote control for said detent operable to retract same, means engaging a portion of said receptacle to move it into horizontal position on retraction of said detent, electric igniter means at said burner, a normally open operating circuit therefor, and a switch in said circuit and positionedfor operating engagement by a wall of the receptacle as it moves on release of said detent whereby to close said circuit to the electric igniter means.

4. Starting means for fluid fuel burners comprising in combination, a fuel supply line delivering to a burner, a support, a closed receptacle having a chamber therein and pivotally suspended from said support to oscillate in a vertical plane, the receptacle being biased to assume a position with its bottom in a horizontal plane, a releasable detent normally engaged with a wall of said receptacle to maintain its bottom inclined from the horizontal, a fuel inlet tube extending through a wall of said receptacle to said chamber, a flexible conduit connecting said fuel supply line and inlet tube, a fuel pipe connected to the burner, an outlet tube extending through a wall of the receptacle to said chamber at a point spaced from said inlet tube, a flexible conduity connecting said outlet tube and fuel pipe, the mouths of said tubes being spaced above the bottom of the receptacle, a quantity vo'i' liquid matter in said receptacle and owable to close the mouth of one of said tubes when the receptacle is inclined, means for releasing said detent. an electric spark igniter at the burner, an operating circuit therefor, and a circuit closer in said circuit and opervable by contact with a wall of said receptacle as it moves on release of said detent wherebyto close the circuit and operate the igniter.

5. In a gas burner control, a gas supply pipe, a gas discharge pipe, a tiltable gas chamber connected with said pipes and establishing communication therebetween, gravity operable valvel means in said chamber for cutting oif gas flow therethrough when the chamber is tilted, a latch engageable with said chamber vto hold same in tilted position, a magnetic release for said latch including a magnet, an operating circuit including a source of current supply, the magnet and a remote control circuit closer, means for restoring said chamber to normal position following latch release, an electric spark producing igniter at f the point of gas discharge, a spark intensifying 

